Malaria Awareness: Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment for Travelers

Malaria is a serious condition. Most people who get malaria get it when a parasite causing the illness gets transmitted to their body via a mosquito bite. Very rarely, malaria can be transferred from a certain type of macaque directly to a human. It can also be transferred via a blood transfusion or if people share needles while doing drugs. A mother who gets infected can even pass it to her unborn child in utero. It is not, however, sexually transmitted. About 400,000 people die from malaria every year. Hence, it’s important to understand the condition in order to avoid it or get effective treatment if it is contracted. Once a parasite that causes malaria is inside the human body, it moves to the liver. It can stay dormant there for months or years, making it possible to get malaria long after a mosquito bite. Symptoms of malaria can include fever, chills, nausea, and fatigue, with severe cases leading to organ failure.

Malaria is most common in places where it is very warm, where there is a lot of rain, and where the humidity is generally high. These are tropical and subtropical regions around the world. Most of the countries with the highest prevalence of malaria are in Saharan and sub-Saharan Africa. However, numbers are also high in Central and South America and Southeast Asia. In countries that are closer to the equator and that have a lot of rainfall, the risk of malaria is greater. The transmission usually occurs year-round.

Preventing malaria is critical for travelers headed to high-risk regions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the best way to combat malaria is through diligent prevention of mosquito bites. Individuals who travel to an area where malaria is common should cover their arms and legs, apply insect repellent, and sleep under treated mosquito nets. Anti-malarial medications are available and should be taken before, during, and after travel. If malaria is suspected, seek medical attention promptly, as it can be highly treatable when caught early. Proper follow-up care is essential for recovery.